Best Pressure Cookers to Prepare Healthy and Tasty Meals in no Time in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 17, 2018

The pressurised steam is used not only in the industry but also in a kitchen because it helps reduce the cooking time immensely. The appliances used for canning or extra-fast cooking are called pressure cookers and we have picked the most popular of them to help you get the right one....Read more...Read less

In addition to your usual cooking modes, the model can simmer and sauté your food. It is even capable of making desserts in the steaming basket. Tefal's very own one-handed opening system makes it a real breeze to open and close the lid.

CONS

The maximum pressure is limited to12 pounds per square inch.

OUR VERDICT

If you do not feel like slaving over a hot stove but you'd still like to treat yourself and your family members to wholesome homemade meals, Tefal Clipso Minut Easy is a pressure cooker for you. It'll fit a student learning the ropes just as well as an experienced chef looking to showcase his cooking skills.

Thanks to the high dome lid, you will be able to engage in some extra capacity cooking. Using the perforated separator, you'll have the option to spice up your usual routine by separating different food items.

CONS

The valve loses its grip after some time.

OUR VERDICT

We would recommend Prestige Hi Dome to a family on a slightly more strict budget than usual. It is devoid of some of the more fancy cooking modes but the construction makes up for it, making it a good choice for those who like to prepare larger servings.

Tefal Clipso 6 Litre

Showcase Your Skills

Tefal Clipso Minut Easy may still be just a pressure cooker but it will do so much more for you than the average model. Sure, not unlike the majority of these cookers, it will boil, brown, stew, bake, and prepare all kinds of meat and fish in a variety of different ways. But this model is also capable of simmering and sautéing your food. Heck, it is even capable of making desserts in the steaming basket. So, as far as one appliance goes, this is more diversity than you could ask for.

Not necessarily as much of a huge detail but another advantage of this product that most people notice right away is the lightweight construction. The folk at Tefal have been able to reduce the weight of the previous version of this model by 30%, making Clipso Minut Easy weigh just 2.2 kilograms. Aside from the obvious advantages of its light weight, the model in question also comes equipped with two fixed handles. They'll make it easier than ever to lift the cooker and to handle the whole thing.

Times When Simple is Better

While we're still on the subject of handles and operation, we would probably be remiss not to mention Tefal's very own one-handed opening system. It may not sound revolutionary but the system makes it a real breeze to open and close the lid. Simply lifting the handle unlocks the lid and lowering said handle locks it back again, and that's about as convenient of a system as it gets.

Tefal Clipso Minut Easy comes with a three-ply base. A base like that ensures outstanding heat distribution, the most important aspect of even cooking. Plus, it is compatible with all heat sources, so it will fit your stove regardless of the company behind it and its type.

As Safe as it Gets

Like most pressure cookers nowadays, the model from Tefal has a 6-litre capacity, so you'll be able to prepare meals for an entire family without having to refill the pot. The said pot is dishwasher safe, meaning that cleaning it won't present much of a challenge either.

We've been rambling about how intricate this appliance is for quite some time now. So some people might get the impression that this is a complicated appliance designed strictly for experienced chefs. But that isn't the case here.

Aside from the aforementioned opening and closing system, the model includes 3 additional safety features: a gasket that releases pressure, a visual pressure indicator, and the usual safety valve. So you can cook with confidence and without worrying about any accidents happening in your kitchen.

In short, if you do not feel like slaving over a hot stove but you'd like to treat yourself and your family members to wholesome homemade meals, Tefal Clipso Minut Easy is a pressure cooker for you. It'll fit a student learning the ropes just as well as an experienced chef looking to showcase his or her cooking skills.

Additional Info

Tower T90115 Pro One Touch

Power and Capacity

Unlike electric cookers, the Tower T90103 is a highly versatile pressure cooker that can be heated on practically any cooking surface including induction cooktops, what will surely appeal to many homemakers. The appliance has a pot with 6 litres capacity which is sufficient for making various dishes for the whole family without refilling the pot (one pot cooking). Keep in mind that how quickly your dishes will be cooked will depend on the kind of stove you use at home, and the rule of thumb is: the more powerful it is the better.

Material

The manufacturer has used stainless steel as a material for the body and lid of the T90103 cooker, which is the best fit as these stainless steel parts boast the durability and longevity that fully meet users’ expectations. The encapsulated base of the cooker made of composite aluminium and steel material provides an even and steady pot heating that allows using this cooker pot for a myriad of cooking options. The design of this appliance combines a full-metal body with phenolic resin handles.

Cooking Features

The Tower T90103 allows you to greatly reduce the cooking time as compared to the time required for conventional cooking on a stove in pots and pans. What is even more important, this cooker preserves up to 90% of vitamins and nutrients in your food. When using the Tower T90103 model you can easily brown, boil, steam, braise, stew and roast vegetables, meat, fish and other foods. The informative detachable remote timer serves to count the time for your cooking. Owing to the pressure cooking method, you can even take the pot off a cooking surface at the final stage and place it wherever you want without worrying about undercooking or overcooking.

Safety and Sensors

The twist lock/open system allows for fast and secure lid locking, making the use of the Tower T90103 absolutely safe and hassle-free. The integrated pressure limiting valve serves as a vent device ensuring that the excessive pressure is released duly; the pressure indicator, in turn, notifies the user when the pressure inside the pot reaches the maximum limit, this way making it easier for you to detect a problem if it occurs and fix it. To avoid overheating of the housing, the handles on the body of the pressure cooker are made of high-quality phenolic material which stays cool to the touch throughout the whole time of use.

Additional Info

VonShef 3L Stainless Steel

Compact and Capacious

If you want to cook something special but do not feel like fiddling in the kitchen too much, the VonShef pressure cooker is exactly what you need. This pressure cooker is relatively compact with 22 and 8.4 cm of overall dimensions, and capacious enough to accommodate the amount of food sufficient for 4-6 people. All the cooking is done by the device and you don't need to be there watching the process. On average, the machine cooks one meal in around 15 minutes, though this time may vary depending on the set program.

The VonShef pressure cooker is a quality product. Made from stainless steel, the pot is highly durable, oxidation-resistant, and odor-free so you can have a peace of mind knowing that the food you'll cook in it won't be bad or have some funny taste. Plus, such a quality design also means it will serve you well for many years to come without you having to replace it.

Choose the Right Pressure Level

The VonShef pressure cooker can cook at two pressure levels - 60 kPa and 90 kPa. To choose between the two, turn the dial on the handle of the lid.

Play It Safe

Cooking with the VonShef is totally safe and enjoyable. The manufacturer provided triple protection:

When the pressure produced by the cooker reaches the critical level, it’s released automatically through a special opening near the adjustable regulator.

There is also a safety valve that releases pressure once the lid is opened/ closed, and will come in handy if the opening is blocked.

The cavity in the sealant ring not only reinforces the bowl and lid connection but also allows removing excessive steam when the opening and the safety valve don't do the job for some reason.

Will Come in Handy in Any Kitchen

To create culinary chefs-d'oeuvre, especially when cooking them for the first time, measuring all ingredients accurately is important. For this purpose, you can obtain the set of kitchen and food scales and avoid a lot of mishaps in the kitchen.

Additional Info

Prestige Hi Dome Aluminium 6 Litre

Family-Friendly

Prestige Hi Dome is a good option for a family on a budget or for any individual who would like to eat healthily but has neither the time nor the financial means for some of the more expensive or complicated cookware. But the former will definitely appreciate this cooking appliance more than anyone else.

With 6-litre capacity, you'll be able to use this model to feed an entire family in one sitting. There'll be no need to refill the pot quite as often. And, again, unless you're planning on using this pressure cooker for commercial purposes, like in a restaurant or any other type of food service facility, 6 litres will be more than enough.

People have all kinds of stovetops. But, other than induction cooktops, the model in question is suitable for all of those hobs. The more or less standard size of 28.6 x 41.4 x 25.2 centimetres in overall dimensions and 3.2 kilograms of weight make Prestige Hi Dome about as practical as the next cooker.

Polished Look

Any piece of cookware, once you buy it, also becomes a piece of your kitchen décor. And while this thing doesn't look particularly high-tech, we can't say we don't like the rather slick look of the model. The body is made of high-quality polished aluminium, the biggest contributor to that sleek design. The material in question is also responsible for the robust construction of this cooker.

Other than that, the model comes equipped with black phenolic fittings that do a pretty good job complimenting the overall visual aspect of this product. There's the usual safety valve that gets rid of the access pressure. And even though it doesn't include any sensors or visual indicators, this pressure cooker conforms to British Safety Standards, so there isn't much here that you should be worried about.

Add Some Variety или Make Larger Servings

Now, most of what we've been saying so far is true for the majority of pressure cookers. And that's because this isn't the most cutting-edge model out there and more of your basic cooker. But it does have a few things going for it.

First, there's the titular high dome lid, a seemingly small change that will allow you to prepare large servings. Then, there's a perforated separator that, as you might imagine, can prove to be quite useful in terms of separating different food items.

Other than that, the model is capable of your standard pressure cooking techniques, including browning, boiling, steaming, braising, stewing, and roasting. Some of the more high-end pressure cookers might offer a bit more than that. But even with that variety, you're unlikely to run out of options any time in the near future.

To rephrase our earlier point, we would recommend Prestige Hi Dome to a family on a slightly more strict budget than usual. It is devoid of some of the more fancy cooking modes but the construction makes up for it, making it a good choice for those who like to prepare larger servings.

Additional Info

Tefal Secure 5 Neo

Capacity and Power

The Tefal Secure 5 Neo Pressure Cooker is an outstanding purchase because of its compatibility literally with all the modern stoves and hobs, such as gas stoves, boiling tables, and even induction cooktop. The large 6 litres cooking pot will prove itself indispensable for meal cooking (without additional refilling) even for a big family. The power of the heating surface that you use this cooker with is complemented with a pressure cooking operation. This combination allows speeding up the cooking and utilising the heating energy in a most effective way.

Material

The pot and the lid are made of a strong and resistant material which ensures reliability of the whole unit. Thus, this Tefal Secure 5 Neo Pressure Cooker will retain its cooking performance and durability for many years after the purchase. The three-layer bottom of the pot ensures an even food heating and very effective utilisation of thermal energy. All the parts of this non-electric cooker are made dishwasher safe to facilitate the cooker maintenance and save your time. The long ergonomic handle is made of heat-resistant material.

Cooking Features

The Neo Pressure Cooker is a surprisingly versatile cooking appliance. It makes you a master in steaming, simmering, braising, boiling, baking, sautéing, poaching, and frying. Due to the availability of 2 ingredients-dependent cooking programs you will be able to cook both meat and vegetable dishes quickly while saving about 70% of the heat as compared to conventional stove cooking. The Steaming basket, which is included in the supply package, enables you to cook extraordinarily tasty and healthy dishes.

Safety and Sensors

This is one of the best pressure cookers by Tefal that was designed with safety in mind. It totally prevents a user injury by steam or heat during its use. The 5 integrated security-oriented systems, including the Auto-lock system for the lid closing and opening, ensure that the cooker does not start cooking if the lid is misaligned or not sealed tightly. The pressure control valve, safety valve and the gasket will not allow a steam to get out of the pot and hurt you.

Additional Info

What Is a Pressure Cooker?

If you are always in haste but don’t want to put up with eating fast-food, you do need a pressure cooker. This modern kitchen appliance will do you a lot of good by preparing mouth-watering, healthy meals and much quicker than you’d do in a conventional pot. Pressure cookers look very much like conventional pots with the only difference being that the former have sealed construction preventing leakage and allowing for cooking under high pressure. This method of cooking allows the food to preserve all of its nutrients and is ideal for the whole family including little kids. Today pressure cookers are widely used not only at home but also in restaurants and cafes. Their popularity is immense!

You may also be interested in reading our other comprehensive review on slow cookers which are used to prepare soups, meat, fish, jam but in a slower way, or rice cookers which are irreplaceable for cooking delicious rice.

What Features to Compare

The first thing you need to consider when choosing a pressure cooker is the capacity and power. And here you must know that there are 2 typesof cookers: electric and stovetop. No need to say, an electric cooker requires electricity whereas a stovetop cooker is basically a metal pot you put right on top of your stove (no matter gas or electric). Any electric cooker has the certain power - make sure it is at least 1000 Watts which is a standard for this kind of kitchen appliances. When you are done with this choice, go to the capacity which shows you how much food you are able to prepare. If you have a common family, you can choose a typical 6-litre cooker, but if you need this appliance for professional use (for a restaurant, for example) or for feeding a lot of people - make sure to choose a bigger cooker.

If you want to use a pressure cooker for many years without any troubles you should pay attention to the material it is made from. As usual, there are cookers made of stainless steel (both electric or stovetop) and aluminium. Aluminium cookers are usually more affordable but less health-friendly due to the peculiarities of this material. Aluminium cookers look like pots with a multi-layer bottom for even heat distribution; a lid firmly adjoins the pot thanks to a Sealing method that most often includes a silicone or rubber ring (though some models have an all-metal sealing system). As usual, a silicone sealing ring is more durable compared to a rubber one. Keep in mind that you will have to change the sealing ring from time to time. The lid usually has a couple of valves to release excessive pressure and one of the valves automatically does it when the pressure becomes dangerously high. Of course, you can set up the maximal pressure level. Stainless steel cookers are more expensive but safer for health. If you choose an electric appliance, you will be able to clean the inner pot in a dishwasher. When you are done with choosing a material, check what weight it has. No need to say, aluminium is lighter than stainless steel.

One more really important issue to take into account is the cooking modesby which we mean what kind of food you can use a cooker for and what pre-set programs the appliance offers. For example, a stovetop cooker is most often used for canning and stewing whereas an automatic electric one is a multi-functional appliance that can serve as a rice cooker, slow cooker, and so on. Therefore, choosing an electric cooker pot allows you to save up the money and get an awesome kitchen helper. And those who want to preserve food need a large canner crock pot.

Finally, you need to be sure your appliance will not blow up and that is why make sure to check the safety and sensors. All pressure cooking pots have a lid lock which ensures the safe position of a lid and prevents its accidental opening. Also, every good crock pot has an overpressure release - if the pressure inside gets too high a special vent (or valve) will get rid of the excess. Electric cookers are totally automatic, while on crock pots you need to set the max. pressure level manually. Sold stovetop crock pots have a sophisticated manual locking system - you just manually do all the locking so the accidental opening is impossible. Also, pay attention to sensors every appliance has: electric ones have an LED display that shows the operation modes and a thermal sensor that controls the temperature inside a pot, whereas most stovetop crock pots have just a pressure gauge.